1. Benefits of chanting – an introduction

A number of Saints have explained the benefits of chanting. Chanting means repetition of God’s Name. SSRF emphasises chanting as the foundation of spiritual practice. This is because chanting is the most conducive spiritual practice for the current times. It is more powerful when done mentally than when done aloud.

Importance of chanting: The subconscious mind carries millions of impressions. To erase even a single impression would take a very long time. Therefore a considerable period of time would be wasted in overcoming the tendencies of the subconscious mind by following restraints and regulations. It is much more important to make continual efforts to blend with the Absolute Being rather than to try and erase such impressions from the mind which arise from our basic nature. This is precisely what can be achieved by chanting God’s Name. The mind, intellect and subconscious mind, among others, are all constituents of our basic nature and these function according to their own characteristics. Instead of wasting one’s spiritual practice in resisting them, one would achieve one’s goal faster if that practice is utilised to progress towards the God principle by becoming one with the Name of God that one chants. – His Holiness Bhaktaraj Maharaj

A flow of the Deity Principle is attracted towards the mid-brow chakra (ādnyā-chakra)

A flow of Divine consciousness (Chaitanya) is attracted towards the person chanting

A ring of Divine Energy (Shakti) is formed around the mid-brow chakra

Therefore, by chanting we derive benefits from the subtle-frequencies attracted to and generated from God’s Name.

3. Medical, psychological and spiritual benefits of chanting

Chanting brings us many medical, psychological and spiritual benefits. In initial stages of spiritual practice it may be difficult to recognise the benefits we derive from chanting. In later stages of spiritual practice too, knowing the benefits of chanting can restore our faith after we have experienced them.

If we chant with the intention of achieving the basic purpose of human life which is to make spiritual progress, we will achieve our aim and experience all the other benefits of chanting too.